A popular Teesside cafe that has served the community for years has closed unexpectedly.

The Galley cafes in Billingham town centre, and at Stockton’s Castlegate Centre, closed on Friday and it is understood staff were made aware they would be losing their jobs at a meeting held that afternoon.

It is not known the reason for the closure but posts on social media by employees suggests that the closure was unexpected and sudden.

One employee from the Billingham business claimed that staff have not been paid.

A post read: “We were all called in for a meeting at 2pm where we were all told we have lost our jobs and were turfed out with no warning while they changed the locks.”

It added: “Sorry to all the regulars we will miss you all, love from the galleys girls.”

A sign on the window of the shop simply read: “This shop is closing 1pm today.”

Regulars have been expressing their sadness at the cafe closing down, with one writing on Facebook: “It’s going to be a very sad day indeed today for us not being able to take our grandson to the Galley for his dinner and coffee and cheese scones for my wife and I as we have done every Saturday, but most importantly the Galley girls getting up this morning without any employment, devastating for them.”

Another wrote: “This is like the forum closing in terms of an iconic Billingham landmark! Hope someone steps up to the plate and keeps it open.”